WaffleFrameWhich compression level should you pick to compress video?
Light re-encodes your video with gentle settings. Use it for footage you will edit again or show on a big screen. Savings are smaller, but detail is almost untouched.
Balanced is the right choice most of the time. Phone footage typically shrinks by half or more, and on a phone or laptop screen you will struggle to see a difference.
Max also scales the video down to 720p and compresses hardest. It is ideal for email attachments, WhatsApp and messaging apps with tight size limits, where a smaller file matters more than pixel-perfect detail.
Why are phone videos so big?
Phones record at very high bitrates — often 15–50 Mbit/s for 1080p or 4K — so no detail is lost while you are filming. One minute of 4K iPhone footage can easily be 350 MB. For sharing, most of that data is invisible. Re-encoding with modern H.264 settings keeps what your eyes see and throws away the rest, which is why you can reduce video file size so much without an obvious quality drop.
Make video smaller without losing what matters
- Trim first. Cutting 30 seconds off a 2-minute clip saves 25% before compression even starts. Use the Video Trimmer.
- Lower the resolution only when the target is small screens — Max does this for you.
- Pick the right format. For websites, a WebM from the Video Converter can be smaller still.
Private compression, right in your browser
Online compressors usually upload your video to their server first — slow for big files and risky for private ones. Here, ffmpeg runs inside your browser with WebAssembly. Your video is compressed in your device's memory and saved straight to your downloads. Nothing is sent anywhere, and there is no server file size limit.
Compression levels at a glance
| Level | Resolution | Typical saving | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Original | 20–40% | Editing, big screens, archiving |
| Balanced | Original | 50–70% | Everyday sharing, social media |
| Max | 720p | 70–90% | Email, WhatsApp, messaging apps |
Savings depend on the source video; already-compressed files shrink less.
Who is this for?
Email attachments
Get a clip under typical 20–25 MB email limits without a file-sharing link.
WhatsApp & messaging
Send long videos that messaging apps would otherwise refuse or crush.
Websites & stores
Smaller product and hero videos load faster for your visitors.
Freelancers
Send client previews quickly while keeping the master file private.
Tips for best results
- Trim the video before compressing — every second you cut is a second you don't have to store.
- Try Balanced first; only use Max if the file is still too big.
- Don't compress the same file again and again — always start from the original.
- Screen recordings with lots of motion compress less than talking-head videos.
- Keep your original file until you've checked the compressed version.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a video for free?
Drop your video into the compressor above, pick Light, Balanced or Max, and click Export. Every logged-in account gets 5 free exports per day, reset at midnight Brussels time. The compressed MP4 is created on your own device, and the result screen shows the new size before you download it.
How much smaller will my video get?
It depends on the source. Phone footage usually shrinks 50–70% on Balanced and 70–90% on Max, because phones record with very high bitrates. Videos that were already compressed — for example downloaded from social media — shrink less. The tool shows the exact saving so you can try another level.
Does compressing a video reduce quality?
Compression always removes some data, but at Light and Balanced the difference is very hard to see on a phone or laptop. Max also scales the video to 720p, which is still sharp on phones but softer on a large monitor. You can compare the result before you download it.
Is my video uploaded to a server?
No. The video compressor runs entirely in your browser using ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly. Your file is read from your disk, compressed in your device's memory and saved back to your downloads. Nobody else ever sees it, which makes it safe for private, client or unreleased footage.
How do I make a video small enough to email?
Most email services limit attachments to around 20–25 MB. Choose Max, which compresses hardest and scales to 720p — a one-minute phone video often ends up well below 20 MB. If it is still too large, trim the clip first with the Video Trimmer so there is less to compress.
Which formats can I compress?
You can add MP4, MOV and WebM files, including iPhone and Android recordings, camera footage and OBS screen recordings. Files up to about 500 MB work best, because your own device does the work. The output is always an H.264 MP4 that plays on every phone, browser and platform.
Why does compressing take longer than I expected?
Because nothing is uploaded, your own computer or phone does all the work. A fast laptop handles a few minutes of 1080p video quickly, while an older phone takes longer. Closing other tabs helps. For very long videos, use a desktop browser or trim the video first.
